o our worst
enemies. But, ah, there comes out the other mistico to the assistance
of their friends."

In a short time the last-named vessel had reached the brigantine, and as
soon as she was lashed alongside, all hands were busily engaged in
transferring the cargo to their own craft, for they had managed to stop
the shot-hole in the side of the one which had been engaged. The
brigantine's anchor had been dropped, and her sails clewed up; and as
soon as the two misticoes were laden, they returned to the harbour. In
another hour or so, they were again alongside the prize, and engaged in
their work of plunder. They laboured hard till they had transferred
everything of value from her hold, and they then commenced stripping her
masts of the sails and rigging; and in collecting other things from her
deck and cabin which might be useful--not forgetting her guns, and her
small store of powder and shot. By the time they had completed their
work the sun had set, and loaded with plunder they returned to port. As
they left the side of the unfortunate vessel, a shout of exultation
escaped them; and soon after, Ada perceived through the gloom a thick
smoke ascending from the hatchways, followed quickly by forked flames,
which leaped upwards, and rapidly enveloped the masts and lower,
rigging. The whole hull was rapidly in a blaze, which lighted up with a
lurid glare the two misticoes; the grim visages of their fierce crew,
their red caps, and varied-coloured costume being clearly visible at
that distance through the telescope. The fiery tinge falling also on
the rocky cliffs, and the towers and walls of the castle, and converting
the tranquil surface of the ocean into, seemingly, a sea of blood.

The brigantine burned fiercely--there must have been some inflammable
substance which had formed part of her cargo remaining in her hold.
From the two small stern-ports, which had been left open, the flames
burst forth in jets of fire, as also from every hatchway, fore and aft,
till the decks fell in, and the masts, like two pillars of fire, came
rushing down, and hissing into the water. At length the empty hull sunk
beneath the surface, and all was again dark.

"I fear, signora, we are in a complete nest of pirates," said Marianna,
breaking the silence which she had maintained after the catastrophe.

"I fear so, too," replied Ada; "but that burning vessel may prove a
beacon to light our friends to our rescue."

CHAPTER TWE